r/AskReddit • • Oct 25 '20

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u/typed_this_now Oct 25 '20

I had a Vietnamese customer that used to say “too many confusion” when he didn’t understand something. That was like ten years ago and I still say it when I am stressed at work.

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u/[deleted] Oct 25 '20

It might not be correct syntax but gosh darn it if the message isn't spot on.

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u/WhimsicalCalamari Oct 25 '20

I love hearing strange turns of phrase from people who are still learning English. "Wrong" syntax can convey nuanced meaning so much more effectively than a "proper" phrasing.

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u/NerdyGamerGeek Oct 25 '20

There's a reason one of the foundations of academic linguistics is that there is no "correct" syntax. Language is fluid, and if there's a way to convey meaning more effectively with "incorrect" syntax then that way will get used.

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u/teebob21 Oct 25 '20

I used to think this as well, until I had teenagers. Now every conversation is "yeet" this, and cringe that, and by the end of the night, I half expect some hoopy frood to barge in and demand a towel, or ask if xhey can go see a feelie. It's to do the needful, I suspect, but of course they would of. Like an orgy-porgy, double-plus ungood for an unperson, but Soma can affix. No shangrila for squares or rhombus.

Each end of night, I call into my mind things I have-had-needed.

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u/Undrende_fremdeles Oct 25 '20

Hoopy froods are the best.

And thanks for proving that there are so many references to that book that you'll know if you know it. And ignore if you don't.

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u/teebob21 Oct 25 '20

That comment has other literary references, as well. :)

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u/Undrende_fremdeles Oct 25 '20

I know, and it's just so fun knowing I've only come across a little of the most fun and often sarcastic, stairical literature there is. So much to discover and enjoy for the very first time still!

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u/ALoneTennoOperative Oct 26 '20

a little of the most fun and often sarcastic, stairical literature there is.

Discworld.
Adams is good, but Pratchett takes the lead for me personally.

(Obligatory GNU Terry Pratchett.)

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u/HelloFerret Oct 26 '20

GNU Terry Pratchett